On March 19, 2025, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) issued new guidance aimed at clarifying when diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices in the workplace may violate Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. While DEI remains an important business priority for many organizations, these federal agencies are warning that employment decisions influenced by race, sex, or other protected characteristics—no matter the intent—may be unlawful. The EEOC also published a more detailed Q&A-style guidance document outlining common scenarios and compliance pitfalls.Read more
Category Archives: Employment Law Updates
Steps to Protect Yourself Against Meal Period Lawsuits
A recent court decision has made it easier for employers to protect themselves from meal break lawsuits by having employees sign a compliant meal period waiver.
Increases in State Minimum Wage and IRS Mileage Rate
Increase in State minimum wage to $16.50/hour
This is a reminder that, as we previously advised, California’s state minimum wage will increase to $16.50 per hour for all employers effective January 1, 2025.Read more
State Minimum Wage Increases on January 1, 2025
It’s time to plan for next year. On January 1, 2025, the state minimum wage is set to increase to $16.50/hr. and the minimum salary for exempt employees throughout the state will be increasing to $68,640.Read more
Governor Newsom Signs AB 2288 and SB 92, Changing PAGA Law [Lab. Code, §§ 2699, 2699.3]
After heavy negotiations with the legislature and business groups, a deal was reached that amends the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA), such that a ballot measure was pulled from the November ballot.Read more
Important Reminders of July 1st Compliance Deadlines
Minimum Wage Goes Up Again for California Municipalities
Here we go again. It’s that time in the summer when San Francisco, Los Angeles and about a dozen cities and counties compete for the title of Highest Minimum Wage in the state. This year, the award goes to the city of Emeryville, in the San Francisco Bay area, with a new minimum wage of $19.36. Meanwhile last year’s winner, West Hollywood, comes in second as it maintains its minimum wage of $19.08 through the end of the year.Read more
Healthcare Employers Stay Tuned – SB 525 Might be Delayed
Healthcare employers in California have spent the past six months making plans to comply with the state’s new minimum wage requirements for healthcare workers. SB 525 which requires hospitals, clinics and many other healthcare facilities to increase employee minimum hourly wages to $21 – $23, depending on the size and type of facility, is scheduled to go into effect on June 1. However, if the law’s author, state senator Maria Elana Durazo, is successful, healthcare employers could get a brief reprieve until July 1.Read more
Model Workplace Violence Prevention Plan is Here
It has arrived! The California Division of Occupational Safety & Health has published and released a Model Workplace Violence Prevention Plan and information for employers and employees regarding the new workplace safety and violence prevention rules mandated by the recently enacted SB 553. The new law requires almost all California employers to implement a Workplace Violence Prevention Plan by July 1, 2024. Employers who have fewer than 10 employees and are not accessible to the public are exempted from the requirement.Read more